Election Results From Middletown - Democrats have to "Wait 'til next year"

As they use to say in Brooklyn all those years ago when speaking of the Dodgers and what seemed to be the annual event of losing to the Yankees in the World Series - "Wait ’til next year!". Democrats in Middletown are no different.

Jim Grenafege and Carol Fowler lost their race for Middletown Township Committee against Tony Fiore and Stephanie Murray, falling approximately 1600 votes shy, which was by no means a landslide.

Like the Brooklyn Dodgers of old, the Middletown Dems will live on to play the game another day, getting closer and closer to that elusive World Series victory that they and their many fans and supporter so covet. The losing only makes them that much more determined to play harder next year.

Republicans can bask in their victory this year but remember, Democrats are not going away anytime soon, be ready for an even tougher fight next year.

Below are the official results as posted on the Monmouth County Clerks webpage:

	Vote Count	Percent
REP - Anthony P. Fiore	6,699	27.91%
REP - Stephanie C. Murray	6,590	27.45%
DEM - James Grenafege	4,977	20.73%
DEM - Carol R. Fowler	5,108	21.28%
- Richard Morrill	615	2.56%
Write-In	16	0.07%
Total	24,005	100.00%

Election Day 2011

When you head out to the polls today in Middletown the only thing you should be worried about is shown below. If you want more of the same then vote for Fiore and Murray. If you want people that will be sitting on the Township Committee that will be thinking of you first before themselves you need to vote for Grenafege and Fowler.

In the past 31 years of Republican control in Middletown, NOT ONE Democrat ever voted for a tax increase, not one! Every municipal tax increase has been a Republican tax increase, 22.2% during the past 3 years, over 42% during the past 8 years.

Letter: Derailed Fiscal Policy, Empty Promises, Unfulfilled Expectations in Middletown

The following letter also appears online today over at the Atlantic Highlands Herald. This letter, written by Middletown Democratic candidate for Township Committee, Jim Grenafege, is an expanded version of the letter that I posted earlier today and appears online over at the Asbury Park Press.

This version of Mr. Grenafege's letter is much more hard hitting than what appears on the APP. Compare the two and let me know what you think, this newer version is much more hard hitting and has more specifics.

In his October 18, Atlantic Highlands Herald letter, “Real Solutions to Real Problems Needed to Put Middletown on Right Track”, Mayor Fiore admitted that Middletown government is derailed. I could not agree more.

True to form, he falsely blames years of excessive spending; unnecessary bonding; escalating taxation and debt, all cradled in Republican mismanagement, on the Middletown Democrats who somehow magically made elected Republicans spend our tax dollars. This is just more empty rhetoric to go with decades of empty promises, failure to openly communicate and thwarted taxpayer dreams: no flood control along the Bay Shore; no turf fields; a lake yet to be dredged; a $400 thousand master recreation plan gathering dust; high density housing zoned in Lincroft and planned development of open space at Bamm Hollow.

After Mr. Fiore strong-armed $500 thousand from library funds; took $350 thousand, for the second year in a row, from sewerage authority fees; used $1.3 million in public education funds; his so-called fiscal discipline required a 12% tax increase to cover $45 million of a $62 million budget. This lack of incumbent Republican fiscal discipline has Middletown looking at a projected $2 million shortfall for the 2012 Middletown budget.

Ask Mayor Fiore if he has a real solution. Past Republican practice points at raising taxes. During his term, he has contributed 22% to a 40% increase in taxes over the last five years. Past practice also points at adding to our $70 million in debt, which has increased 66% over the same five years.

Finally, at least $2.4 million of $4 million in “cuts” claimed by Mayor Fiore was onetime nonrecurring expenses that were never part of the 2011 budget.

In closing, Mr. Fiore notes that Middletown has been repeatedly named one of the Top 100 Places to Live by Money Magazine; but, Fiore fails to note that Middletown’s standing in the Magazine’s quality-of-life survey has eroded by 39% during the last four years.

Put a stop to over 30 years of poor fiscal policy and borrowing, empty promises and unfulfilled expectations. Please help our community get back on track: vote Grenafege and Fowler on November 8.


James Grenafege
Middletown Township Committee

Letter: Taxes Sky High in Middletown

The Following letter to the editor appears online today over at the Atlantic Highlands Herald:

Have you heard that the Middletown’s mayor and his running mate want to hold the line on taxes? Hold it where, exactly? Somewhere in the stratosphere?

I think the joke’s on us. Municipal taxes have gone up over 22% just during Mister Fiore’s 3-year term in office. Mr. Fiore voted for tax increases every year. Based on his record, I think we can expect more of the same.

Republican candidates keep talking about making Middletown an affordable place to live, and then keep doing the opposite once they’re elected. You’d think they’d be too red in the face to keep talking about it.

Mr. Fiore doesn’t seem to feel responsible for our high taxes since he is always talking about forces beyond his control. Well, that doesn’t inspire my confidence in his ability, and I won’t be voting for him.

I think it’s time we had representatives who stopped making excuses and brought sound judgment to the job. Jim Grenafege has been a voice of reason for many years now. He is both informed and vocal about issues that are important to residents. Jim strongly supports televising town meetings so that we can all see what our local government is doing. He also feels the Township desperately needs the oversight of a Finance Committee, which almost every other town has. After seeing taxes double in such a short time, I have to agree with him.

Please join me in supporting Jim Grenafege for Middletown Township Committee this Election Day.

William G. Butler
Middletown, NJ

Letter: Middletown GOP to blame for poor fiscal policies

The following letter appears online today at the Asbury Park Press:

In his Oct. 21 letter, “Real solutions to problems put Middletown on right track,” Mayor Anthony Fiore admitted that Middletown government is derailed. I could not agree more.

True to form, he falsely blames years of excessive spending, unnecessary bonding, escalating taxation and debt, all cradled in Republican mismanagement, on the Middletown Democrats who somehow magically made elected Republicans spend our tax dollars. This is just more empty rhetoric to go with decades of empty promises.

After Fiore strong-armed $500,000 from library funds, took $350,000 for the second year in a row from sewerage authority fees and used $1.3 million in public education funds, his so-called fiscal discipline required a 12 percent tax increase to cover $45 million of a $62 million budget. This lack of incumbent Republican fiscal discipline has Middletown looking at a projected $2 million shortfall for 2012.

Ask Mayor Fiore if he has a real solution. Past Republican practice points at raising taxes. During his term, he has contributed 22 percent to a 40 percent increase in taxes over the last five years. Past practice also points at adding to our $70 million debt, which has increased 66 percent over the same five years.

Finally, at least $2.4 million of $4 million in “cuts” claimed by Mayor Fiore were onetime nonrecurring expenses that were never part of the 2011 budget.

Put a stop to more than 30 years of poor fiscal policy and borrowing. Please help our community get back on track. Vote for James Grenafege and Carol Fowler.

James Grenafege

Middletown Township Committee candidate

Letter: In Middletown, support Grenafege, Fowler

The following letter appears in yesterdays' Asbury Park Press:

As we approach Tuesday, Nov. 8, I am reminded daily of the serious issues facing Middletown.

Last year, Sean Byrnes and I ran on those very same issues. Unfortunately, the voters chose to vote for more of the same, primarily due to the national political climate.

Although unsuccessful, we did manage to get more than 2,000 voters to cross party lines and vote for us. They recognized that party affiliation should not be a factor when it comes to local politics. It’s all about who will manage our taxes more wisely and prudently. It’s all about our leaders representing the people they were elected to serve, not a political party.

Anyone opposing the Republican candidates faces an uphill battle. We have a political machine firmly entrenched in Middletown for more than 30 years, which has controlled everything.

There is no way the Republicans can blame another party for the problems we are facing. Yet due to their continued mismanagement, our debt has ballooned to more than $72 million. One-party government has failed in Middletown; it’s time we hold those in charge accountable.

Voters have another opportunity this November to choose candidates who represent honesty and integrity, candidates who will respect the needs of all the residents of Middletown and not the elite few.

Those candidates are Jim Grenafege and Carol Fowler.

Mary Mahoney
Middletown

Letter: Middletown Hides Mismanagement

The following letter was posted online at the Atlantic Highlands Herald

Mayor Fiore is good at one thing and one thing only---raising Middletown’s taxes. Since being in office he has raised our taxes 22.3%.

Municipal mismanagement is rampant in Middletown. Yet the Mayor has been effective in keeping all this from the residents. When asked repeatedly to have the Township Committee meetings televised, he refuses, saying he doesn’t want to spend money. Yet, his record of spending money is off the charts. Perhaps he wants to hide the truth about the state of operations in Middletown.

We need better leadership and management in Middletown. Let’s stop the escalating taxes and mismanagement. Middletown residents, please get out to vote and elect Jim Grenafege and Carol Fowler to the Middletown Township Committee. They are fiscal conservatives. They have proven methods to reduce waste and inefficiencies. They know how to set demanding goals to ensure that the township is managed both effectively and efficiently.

Marilyn Tuohy
Pt. Monmouth, NJ

The Independent's Election 2011 Middletown Profile : Grenafege and Fowler's Repsonses

Last weeks edition of the Independent had the first of it's political profiles of candidates running in local area elections, starting of with Middletown.

There's nothing new or informative listed within the profile's of Tony Fiore or Stephanie Murray.

Fiore talks about how he cut $4 million from the Township budget and how he negotiated a 25% heath and benefits contribution from the Township's police union, but fails to mention that the tax rate didn't go down; it went up by 3%.

Stephanie Murray doesn't seem to have an original idea in her head and just parrots much of what Fiore and her republican handlers have told her about taxes, affordable housing (COAH) and open space.

If you want to read about them you can go to the article at the Independents website but below are the Independent's questions to the candidate's and the responses from just the Middletown Democratic Candidates Jim Grenafage and Carol Fowler

I only list their responses because they are the candidates that are speaking about changing the status quo and stating that Middletown can do better for it's residents :

Q. What do you believe is the main issue facing Middletown? What specific steps can and will you take to tackle this issue?

GRENAFEGE: The main issue facing Middletown is the lack of elected and appointed two-party representation. The lack of twoparty representation allows the majority to avoid accountability and in-depth substantial discussion of a basket of issues that Middletown faces. This allows a lot of items to be discussed in public more than they are now. I’m an advocate for small, open representative government focused on local tax relief. I position myself as a champion for fiscal responsibility, government accountability and open access to public information.

FOWLER: The main issue facing Middletown is tax increases. I would eliminate wasteful spending. Let’s get rid of what we can’t afford in this town. The Middletown Arts Center and the swim club are just a couple of examples. Our township cannot sustain such frivolous spending when we have seniors who can barely afford to purchase food and homeowners who lose everything when a tropical storm sweeps through, with no solution in place for their longtime flooding predicament. I truly believe in spending within our means.

Q. Why are you qualified to serve on the Middletown Township Committee, or what have you done during your committee term that qualifies you to serve again?

GRENAFEGE: I’m a critical thinker and I really do take an outside the-box approach when exploring an issue or a problem. I really try to look at it differently. Most importantly, I really care about the quality of life for all the residents in Middletown. I have regularly attended township meetings since 2005 because I do care, I do show up and I do speak out. I see that as a qualifier. I’ve been at this for years now as a citizen. I’m engaged in the process.

FOWLER: We’re at a critical point now where people no longer see Middletown as livable. Homeowners are really in a crisis, and I really want to help these people. My children went all through Middletown public schools and cannot afford to buy a house in Middletown. It’s my vision to restore this town to what it was — a reliable and affordable place to live and for tomorrow’s generation to enjoy quality education and to be free of excessive debt burden.

Q. Are there any other issues facing Middletown that you specifically want to address?

GRENAFEGE: I think it’s critical to create a bipartisan finance committee. I would look at revitalizing the recreation program. We made a $400,000 investment in a master plan a few years ago that is collecting dust. I would advocate for a strategic planning committee, a vision and a mission from a longview perspective. I would advocate televising Township Committee meetings. We also need to start looking at how we can create a revenue stream, which means having a lot of conversations with the business community.

FOWLER: I would explore more shared services opportunities between the township and the Board of Education, like consolidating all maintenance of public property in the town under one body. Money could be saved by eliminating health benefits for appointees to our sewerage authority. Law firms that make money on public work but also direct work that is very valuable to other professionals can be put on notice that Middletown deserves to not be fleeced by hourly fee attorneys and engineers

MEET AND GREET LOCAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES AT MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY THURSDAY OCTOBER 13th

Middletown, NJ - A "Meet the Candidates" forum has been scheduled to introduce the local Democratic candidates at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, Oct.13 at the Main Branch of the Middletown Public Library located at 55 New Monmouth Rd., Middletown.

The open public session will give residents the opportunity to meet the candidates for Middletown Township Committee, Jim Grenafege and Carol Fowler, to discuss issues affecting Middletown and to exchange ideas for making Middletown’s government more responsive and the town a better place to live.

Jim Grenafege is an advocate for small, transparent, representative government focused on local tax relief and community quality-of-life. He actively champions for fiscal responsibility, government accountability and timely open access to public information. Jim often challenges status quo policies and practices of local government and offers alternatives to better serve the citizens of Middletown Township.

Carol Fowler and her family are lifelong residents of Lincroft. She has been a member of the Lincroft First Aid and Rescue Squad for the past 28 years and she currently serves as the Director of the Center for US War Veteran Oral Histories at the National Guard Militia Museum, where she also works as Assistant Curator. She feels that taxpayers have been exploited long enough by those currently sitting on the Township Committee who seem to serve their Party Chairman and other cronies more so than the residents of Middletown.

Letter - Grenafege & Fowler Support Open Government and the Broadcasting Public Meetings

To the Editor,

Late one weekend night I was flipping t.v. channels to view my new expanded line-up, when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a lively meeting of the Howell township committee. Enthralled, I watched for over 45 minutes. Howell's public service channel carries videotaped committee, planning and zoning meetings, repeated often and available for download.

My own township officials in Middletown adamantly refuse to offer videotaped meetings, which would be helpful for all, especially older people, workers, and people with disabilities. Are the officials fearful that they could not compete with :"Dancing with the Stars"? Committeeman Scharfenberger said that it would cost $100,000 to tape meetings, a gross exaggeration, then asserted that even at no cost he would not approve.

Candidates Jim Grenafege and Carol Fowler support open government, including videotaped meetings. It's time for a change in township committee members.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Schwebel
Leonardo, NJ

Someone Please Dial Whine-1-1; Middletown Republicans Are In Need Of A Waaambulance!!

Every year since 2006, Middletown Democrats have been gathering at local intersections around Middletown showing their support for their candidates during campaign season and every year there has been a cry baby letter to the editor issued by the some connected Republican boot licker stating how these Democrats are running out in traffic, causing disturbances and posing a hazard to drivers.

This year is nothing new, Middletown Democrats were out again this past weekend showing their support for their Candidates Jim Grenafege and Carol Fowler and within hours a recycled letter to the editor made it's way onto the pages of the Atlantic Highlands Herald condeming the democrats and misleading readers.

This letter written by Republican Monmouth County Committeeman Peter Van Nortwick, who also happens to be the appointed Vice-President of the Poricy Park Conservancy and holds various other appointed positions throughout the county, should be arrested for false allegations and charged with plagiarism for putting his name on a letter that has now been rewritten 6 or 7 times over the past 5 years by various other Middletown Republicans !

After all, Middletown Democrats are just exercising their first amendment rights to free speech and to peaceably assemble. Why do Peter Van Nortwick and other Middletown Republicans what to violate their constituional rights by stopping them from doing so; do they hate the constitution ?


Note to Middletown Republicans: Stop your whining over nonsense and address real quality of life issues that effect Middletown like cronyism, taxes, high density housing, taxes, pet projects, nepotism, taxes, roads, brush and leaf pick-ups, the state of education,taxes......

Fundraiser to support Freeholder Amy Mallet

Please join us for a cocktail reception to support Freeholder Amy Mallet.

Amy has proven her tireless dedication in serving all the residents of Monmouth County.

With your help we can ensure her re-election.

Also meet her running mates:

Bill Shea for Freeholder and Michael Steinhorn for Surrogate.

Hosted by

Mary Mahoney & Linda Baum.

Special guests:

Patrick Short & Kevin Lavin, Candidates for Assembly District 13.

Jim Grenafege and Carol Fowler, Candidates for Middletown Township Committee.

Suggested donation:

$30 per person, $50 per couple

Friend: $50

Thursday, October 6 · 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Mahoney Residence
286 Everett Rd.
Lincroft, New Jersey

And Here's Another Clip From Monday Night's Township Committee Meeting: Grenafege to Scharfenberger; It's about Honesty, Integrity and Character

I have one more clip to post after this one from Monday night's Middletown Township Committee meeting. If these meetings were televised over Middletown's public access channels I wouldn't have any need to post them here, but that is an ongoing issue that one day will be resolved (I hope).

In this clip, resident JIm Grenafege admonishes those on the committee, particularly Gerry Scharfenberger, about the importance of Honesty, Integrity and Character of those that are elected to serve.

His comments were driven by the apparent deceitful and hairsplitting answers given by Scharfenberger during his re-election campaign and during the current proceedings of the evening.

Opaqueness of Government Was Grenafege's Point While Addressing Committee At Last Week's Budget Adoption

Last week I posted an piece of audio that featured an exchange between resident Jim Grenafege and mayor Gerard Scharfenberger that took place during the special budget adoption meeting Monday night September 7th. It was a rather heated exchange, but was a small segment of the overall address to the Township Committee made by Mr. Grenafege.

Grenafege addressed the issue of transparency in government which he called the "Opaqueness" of Middletown's governing body.

He brought up the issue of early retirements and their effect on this years budget, he pointed out that the Township passed an ordinance last year that encouraged employees to take advantage of early retirements as a cost savings to the Township. By passing this ordinance the Township should have been able to do better job at planning for the rash of retirements sparked by Gov. Christie's threat to change the State's retirement system.

Grenafege brought up the issues of Tax Appeals.

It was stated that the township had to assume the full cost of the many tax appeals that were successfully approved against the town. Scharfenberger lamented that a portion of those appeals should have had to been paid by the Board of Education seeing that 60% of the overall property tax burden is attributed to the school system and not the Township.

Grenafege correctly pointed out that the Township owes $80M worth of debt to the school board in the form of deferred taxes, which the Township collects and uses to offset the municipal tax rate, and if the Township did a better job at planning a portion of that debt could have been put aside for the purpose of tax appeals.

After addressing health care costs and questioning the per capita costs ratio of employees to residents and how the $680 figure is derived that Scharfenberger loves to quote when talks about how fiscally conservative Middletown has been through the years, he moved on to the Middletown Sewage Authority and "Concerts in the Park".

The Township has often said that the concerts are fully funded by corporate sponsors with no taxpayer dollars supporting them. Grenafege pointed out that at least one of these concerts were sponsored by the Middletown Library System, which was therefore, in fact funded indirectly by Middletown taxpayers.

Listen to the audio, it was a fascinating exchange that I am sure will keep you listening until the end of the 12 minute give and take between Jim Grenafege and the those on the Township Committee. The exchange between them is exactly what open government is all about and what needs to happen more often at Township meetings

It Was Grenafege Vs. Scharfenberger In A Heated Exchange During Budget Meeting

One of the more lively exchanges that took place during Tuesday night's budget adoption meeting in Middletown, was the heated words that flew around the court house between resident Jim Grenafege and mayor Scharfenberger.

There has been bad-blood between the two that dates back to 2008 when Jim Grenafege ran on the Democratic ticket for a seat on the Middletown Township Committee.

Durning that campaign Scharfenberger, who is a part-time adjunct professor at Monmouth Univeristy, was caught using the Monmouth University's email system to send out false and misleading campaign information about Grenafege and his running mate to Republicans and their supporters in Middletown.

Scharfenberger's ethical lapse nearly cost Monmouth University its IRS tax exempt status and was in clear violation of Monmouth University's Guidelines for Political Activity.

To this day it isn't exactly clear what disciplinary actions, if any, Monmouth University took against Scharfenberger. And since this time, whenever Jim Grenafege stands in front of the Township Committee to address a concern that troubles him mayor Scharfenberger usually looks away and ignores him, that was until Tuesday night.

Dustin Racippio from the website RedBankGreen.com caught the exchange and wrote about in his column:

"...Frustration mounted when resident Jim Grenafage, a meeting regular, criticized the committee for lacking transparency — a common complaint at the meeting — and accused it of withholding information from committeeman Sean Byrnes, the body’s lone Democrat.

Scharfenberger, clearly chafed by the “heavy accusation,” uncharacteristically let his frustration show, and got into a back-and-forth of raised voices and finger pointing with Grenafage.

“There’s much more of an effort to keep things opaque than to bring transparency to the town,” Grenafage said...."

If you would like to listen to it for yourself I have the audio posted below. I hope to have an expanded sound bite soon of the exchange because much of what is not captured in this piece of audio was very insightful and at some point should be looked into.

Middletown Township Still 'Crunching The Numbers' As Budget Gap Widens

Excellent article written by Ryan Fennell of the TRT, the kid reports it straight with no spin and consistantly reports on important aspects of the Township Committee meetings without having to resort to press releases issued after the meetings are over.

By Ryan Fennell
The Two River Times

MIDDLETOWN - While no specifics have been released regarding the 2010 budget, the Middletown Township Committee intimated on Monday night that layoffs were imminent in order to bridge the estimated $4 million shortfall in revenue.

The Middletown Township Committee entered this year facing an approximate $4 million shortfall, which Committeeman Sean Byrnes now estimates to be closer to $6 million, in revenue for the 2010 budget. Since that time the Committee has hired a new CFO and consistently pledged to the township's residents that it was "looking at everything."

"We are now almost three weeks into April and we know as a Committee that we have a significant shortfall in revenue this year," Byrnes said. "The news is only getting worse and as of right now I don't think we've really executed on any plans. Our ability to see any kind of savings is hampered by the fact that time is passing."

Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger said that he has been in contact with Governor Chris Christie's chief of staff and has been assured that legislation is being crafted that would ease the situation for the township.

"He assured me that the 'mayor's toolbox', so to speak, that will allow us to absorb some of these cuts is still in the process of being formulated. We're hoping this will provide some relief and extensive policy out of Trenton that will allow us to get back on track." Middletown resident Jim Grenafege was not satisfied with the explanation and challenged the committee to offer concrete solutions or information regarding the budget. "Its just week after week there is nothing concrete happening," Grenafege said.

He asked that the committee provide numbers associated with proposals that have been offered by the committee that could potential cut the budget.

"We have a relatively new CFO and he's still crunching the numbers," Scharfenberger said. "We can't quantify anything that's been proposed when I don't have the numbers to quantify it against. These are sound proposals. There's no sense speculating."

Grenafege charged that the committee was speculating with the proposals. "They're speculation with no numbers associated with it. It's disingenuous to make these proposals without saying and here's what we expect to save."

Township Administrator Anthony Mercantante said that there are concrete things happening regarding the budget. "We've discussed a lot of options for saving money. A lot of them are painful. A lot of them are painful to individual people. It wouldn't be fair to speculate publicly about some of the things happening." Resident Jeff Blumengold asked why the committee hasn't at least started cutting the "low hanging fruit."

Scharfenberger noted that Middletown operates on a workforce of approximately 340 employees which costs the township $872 per person, a low figure for a municipality it's size.

"There's not a lot of low hanging fruit," Scharfenberger said.

Scharfenberger also pointed out that the Township experienced 15 retirements since January and could see as many as 20 by year's end. Scharfenberger said that these retirements have affected the budget and eliminated areas to cut.

"We had no idea that was going to happen," Scharfenberger said of the retirements. However, the Committee had expected and even encouraged its employees to retire in May 2009.

On May 18, 2009 the Committee unanimously adopted an ordinance entitled "Early Retirement Incentive for Eligible Township Employees."

The ordinance encourages employees eligible to retire under the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) with the offer of health benefits upon retirement after 15 years of service with the township, lowered from 20 years of service.

According to the ordinance any employee who is eligible to retire who has 15 years of service shall have the entire cost of health benefits assumed by the Township of Middletown upon retirement. The ordinance has a "sunset provision" that sets December 31, 2010 as the expiration date.

"The process is the problem," Byrnes said. "There is no process in place to get ahead of the things we're talking about. We knew it was going to be bad. It's very, very frustrating. I can't fathom how we haven't planned out for the problems we're facing."

"Now we will lay off people and those numbers are probably going to be bigger than they needed because we're starting later than we should have," Byrnes added.

"The silver lining in all the bad news we've been confronting is that people are starting to engage," Byrnes said. "People seem to be paying more attention to what's going on. That's a good thing. Part of the problem of what we're in now is people didn't pay attention and that is the key to getting out of the very dire situation we find ourselves in."

Listen to Bob Brown, Democratic Candidate For NJ State Assembly District 13, In the Morning On NJ 101.5, Then Watch On The Strategy Room

Tomorrow is the last big day of campaigning for candidates and the two Democratic challengers for the State Assmebly out of district 13 are no exception.

Bob Brown will once again be featured on the NJ 101.5 radio station in the morning with host Jim Gearhart sometime between the hours 8am and 10am. Bob Brown, as some of you will recall, was a guest of Jim Gearhart 2 weeks ago and made such an impression on him, that Jim Gearhart endorsed him for State Assembly.

At 1 pm, Bob Brown will be making yet another appearence on Fox News's "Stragey Room". He will be sitting in on the segment " News W/A View" hosted by Brian Kilmeade. Bob will be joined by guests Mike Baker-Former CIA Operative and President of Dilligence LLC and Bill Daly-Former FBI, Sr. VP of Control-Risks.

In the meantime Jim Grenafege, Bob Browns running mate in the 13th district, will be hitting up the local trian stations in the morning, meeting some hungry customers in a few local diners and then start knocking on doors throughout the district in a last minute push for votes.

13th District Assembly Race Up For Grabs; Poll Shows Brown Up On Thompson, Within Striking Distance of Handlin

It seems as though an upset is in the making in the 13th legislative district, according to a recent poll.

According to this poll, Democratic challenger Robert "Bob" Brown, has opened a commanding lead over Republican incumbent Sam Thompson and it has the Thompson/Handlin campaign scrambling for last minute cash to flood mailboxes throughout the district with campaign literature. Thompson/Handlin campaign signs have also been flooding the area within the past 24 hours since the results of the poll has been know to the campaign.

Both men, Brown and Thompson reside in Middlessex's Old Bridge Township, and it is in Old Bridge where Thompson has lost a significant portion of his base to Bob Brown.

Brown in the mean time, has also been polling very strong throughout the rest of the district, thanks inpart to two major endorsments by the Newark Star-Ledger columnist Paul Mulshine and NJ 101.5 Morning Show host Jim Gearhart:

Paul Mulshine said…. “Bob Brown is the sole democrat worth a damn in this state…..” (October 19, 2009)

Jim Gearhart added “I endorse Bob Brown completely…” (Oct. 22,2009)

Thanks to these endorsements Brown is also within striking distance of the other incumbant in the race, Amy Handlin. And what makes this poll even more eye opening is that Brown's coattails seem to be extending towards his running mate Jim Grenafege, who is also within striking distance of Thompson.

You can learn more about both Bob Brown and Jim Grenafege by watching their campaign video's (below) or by logging onto their website assembly13.org

Randy Bishop, Candidate For NJ State Assembly District 11- Answers 10 Questions

Randy Bishop is the former Mayor of Neptune Township and is currently seeking 1 of 2 seats in the NJ State Assembly out of the 11th District.

Randy is the 4th State Assembly Candidate to return my questionnaire and by doing so he has joined his runningmate Rick Bolger, Jim Grenafege from Disitrict 13 and Independent Candidated Sean Dunne aslo from the 13th district as responders.

As I read through Randy's responses I have a sense that the most important thing to him is public service.

As a small business owner and head of the Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce, it is import to him that businesses not be strangle to the point they cannot exist.

1. What is your motivation for seeking a seat in the NJ State Assembly and can you tell us a little about yourself ?

I have been in public service from my participation in boards, my time as head of the Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce and my time as committeeman and Mayor in Neptune Township. I believe that public service is the highest calling and that working to make a difference is what keeps us going and looking for solutions.

2. As you meet residents throughout your district what seems to be the greatest concerns they are expressing and how do you plan to address them?

Residents of this District are frustrated by high property taxes, the question of can they remain in a place they love or are they being priced out. I believe that we need to restructure government and am a believer in a State Constitutional Convention. There are those, mostly people who have power and do not want to give it up, but the system is broken. Layering patches on a broken system will not fix the underlying problems and that is what the legislature is tasked to do.

3. What do you hope to accomplish once you are elected to the State Assembly?

Bring back to this District the information, the help and the voice that it has been lacking in Trenton. Oddly, we hear so much that things cannot get done by the current Assembly persons because they are in the minority. Actually having served in the minority, I have still been able to raise issues, propose solutions and work toward making things better.

4. What is it that makes your district unique and how does that uniqueness impact your campaign?

This district is very diverse having some of the most urban areas in all of Monmouth County and as such has a unique set of challenges. While you look for solutions you must make sure that the one thing you think will solve one issue will create another somewhere else. But across all of this district it is common that we need job creation, less burden on businesses and equal educational opportunities for all of our residents.

5. If elected, how would your professional background enhance your ability to be an effective State Assembly representative?

As a small business owner and as a municipal elected official, I see what the edicts of Trenton do to the people of this district. I believe that I know challenges facing especially small businesses by owning one and by being the head of a Chamber of Commerce. We cannot continue to strangle the business community to the point they cannot exist or suffocate the residents under this tax burden.

6. Do you have any thoughts on how to contain the growth of state government?

We really must look at integration of functions. Each department replicates work in other departments. Also, I believe we must get back to what are we required to do, what do we need to do and make sure we are not funding the things we like to do. I also believe that it is time to end unfunded state mandates to municipalities.

7. Is there any aspect of state government that you believe there is a need to be expanded upon?

There are currently no needs for expansion that I can see..

8. Why should residents of your district trust you to represent them in the legislature?

I have a record of service, of creativity in problem solving that I feel the residents can trust. Its not just that I say what I will do, I do it.

9. Why do you identify yourself as a Democrat as opposed to a Republican or Independent?

I have always believed in the ideals and values of the Democratic Party. That doesn't always mean I agree with the leaders and have stood up against them at times. I will always fight for those who need a voice. Government for most of us should just get out of the way. But sometimes, government is the only way to bring about an equitable solution.

10. Is there anything that is important to you that hasn’t been asked, that you would like to address?

Just that experience matters. Not experience in Trenton today, but experience in the trenches bot in business and in politics. I have worked in Washington DC on Capitol Hill, I have worked in start-up companies and in corporate America and now in owning my own business. I believe this gives me a unique view on problem solving and on working toward solutions.

Jim Grenafege, Candidate For NJ State Assembly For District 13 Answers 10 Questions

Middletown resident Jim Grenafege, a Democrat, is running for a seat in the NJ State Assembly

out of District 13.

Mr. Grenafege is the third candidate to respond to my questionnaire so far. Rick Bolger Assembly Candidate for district 11 was the first followed by Independent candidate Sean Dunne who is also running in the 13th.

Reading through Mr. Grenafege's answers, it struck me at how well thoughtout his answers were. I thought that if he was given the space to answer the APP Tax Crush questions the same way that I have given him here, he would have certainly gained the APP's endorsement over Amy Handlin or Sam Thompson.

1. What is your motivation for seeking a seat in the NJ State Assembly and can you tell us a little about yourself?

Operation Bid Rig exposed a corrupt person on the Middletown Township Committee, which motivated me to become actively involved in trying to influence the workings of local government. My dissatisfaction with soaring property taxes and how public business was being conducted grew as a result of my perception of a lack of openness, transparency, leadership, effective management and genuine commitment to serve more than just special political interests. I was asked to run locally last year and was invited to run at the state level this year.

I have business experience as a consultant and corporate human resources manager. My broad professional experience acquired working for major corporations includes employee relations, labor relations and management development. Over the course of my career, I have partnered with corporate executive officers, and senior and middle managers. I have a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and an M.A. from Montclair State University. I am committed to tax and ethics reform.

2. As you meet residents throughout your district what seems to be the greatest concerns they are expressing and how do you plan to address them?

Almost everyone I meet is overwhelmed with property taxes; and disgusted with corruption and mismanagement at all levels of government. Many residents comment on isolated ineffective leadership and a lack of good jobs. Reducing the size and cost of government by eliminating positions; freezing salaries, capping benefits and changing pension entitlements are necessary tax relief requirements. Changing how education is funded is critical: Michigan implemented an approach that cut property taxes in half. Corruption is addressed by imposing severe financial and incarceration penalties; term limits; technological transparency and mandatory ethics training for all employees and outside service providers.

3. What do you hope to accomplish once you are elected to the State Assembly?

Reduce the size and cost of government, and create an ethical transparent culture focused on serving public needs and not the wants of special external and internal interests. Create an economy and jobs aligned with 21st century needs. Environmental imperatives cannot be ignored. Clean energy is very important and clean water is critical to our well being in the immediate future.

4. What is it that makes your district unique and how does that uniqueness impact your campaign?

A significant portion of the district lies along the Bayshore, so there are infrastructure issues around flood control management that must be addressed.

5. If elected, how would your professional background enhance your ability to be an effective State Assembly representative?

I have always worked in client and customer sensitive roles in industries with a strong emphasis on service. I am an innovative leader with strong facilitation skills, which enhances my ability to work collaboratively with diverse interests to set goals and design action plans to achieve desired results. My private sector business experience, especially my work as a corporate human capital manager and career management consultant is particularly germane in this uniquely challenging employment and economic environment.

6. Do you have any thoughts on how to contain the growth of state government?

Cap salaries and benefits. Implement a hiring freeze and reorganization -- led by professionals who have been successful with similar projects in the private sector -- that includes agencies and authorities, which initially reduces the overall size of government, by 15%. Remove the perks and benefits that attract people to government employment for self-serving reasons. Term limits for elected as well as appointed officials, should produce representation that is committed to public service.

7. Is there any aspect of state government that you believe there is a need to be expanded upon?

Yes. There needs to be an initiative that will create greater transparency in government through the use of technology. At all levels of government residents need to have on-line access to see how their tax dollars are being spent. It is time to televise state; county and municipal representatives at work.

8. Why should residents of your district trust you to represent them in the legislature?

I am not a career politician primarily concerned with re-election who is financially tied to special interests and hidden agendas. I set high standards and expect and deserve the same from elected and appointed public officials. Most of all I require integrity and ethical behavior of myself and those that I work with.

9. Why do you identify yourself as a Democrat as opposed to a Republican or Independent?

I am a Democrat with an Independent orientation. What appeals to me the most about the Democratic Party is its being anchored in the middle-class, its commitment to cultural diversity and reducing poverty, supporting those who are most vulnerable in our society, and its commitment to protecting the environment and our natural resources.

10. Is there anything that is important to you that hasn’t been asked, that you would like to address?

There is deep need to get more citizens involved in the democratic process at all levels of government, especially at the local level. If people want to have an impact on how their taxes are invested in maintaining and improving the quality of life they expect and deserve, then they must do more than vote at every given opportunity; they need to show-up regularly at local government meetings and demand accountability from their elected employees.